Quayle enjoys major vibes

Playing in his first major, Australia’s Anthony Quayle gave a good account of himself as he charged up 31 places up the leaderboard to end his third round at The 150^th Open in a share of 24^th place after signing for a four-under-par 68.

Quayle’s three-day total of five-under-par 211 meant he will head into the final round 11 shots back of co-leaders Viktor Hovland and Rory McIlroy at the world’s oldest major. Despite knowing he needs a herculean effort for his major breakthrough at the Old Course in St Andrews this week, Quayle is pleased to know he can still compete at the highest level.

He said: “I didn’t get off to the start I wanted to on Thursday and that pretty much ruled me out of contention this week. But I feel I can compete at this level and I want to at least finish on a strong note tomorrow and show to myself I can compete with the best players in the world.”

With fellow Aussie and multiple JGTO winner, Brendan Jones on his bag, Quayle started well with an opening birdie. He then made three straight pars before reeling another birdie on five. Quayle bogeyed seven but stormed back with a pair of birdies on nine and 10. He dropped another shot on 11 but picked up further gains on 12, 14 and 15. After another bogey on 17, the Australian would end his day on a high note with a closing birdie on 18.

“Yesterday, my only thinking was to try to get my shots in play and make the cut. I played really nicely today although I still feel like I had to work hard for the score. There were many birdie opportunities out there.

“The walk down 18 was pretty incredible. There are so many ways you can get your shot onto the greens and once you get there, you need a little bit of luck there,” said Quayle.

Reflecting on his maiden debut on the historic Old Course at St Andrews, Quayle said: “My favourite parts of the course are actually those holes at the back of the course where they cross over each other. Even though it’s not always that practical when you are waiting for people to walk across the fairways, it’s a pretty cool atmosphere. There are so many people out there and they are cheering for you at the grandstand.”

Brad Kennedy, meanwhile, slipped 10 places down to a share of 35^th place after signing for a 72 while Philippines’ Justin De Los Santos posted a 70 to move to tied-55^th along with Yuto Katsuragawa, who struggled to a 75.

Third round scores of JGTO members

211 – Anthony Quayle (AUS) 74-69-68

212 - Brad Kennedy (AUS) 68-72- 72

214 - Yuto Katsuragawa (JPN) 71-68- 75, Justin De Los Santos (PHI) 71-73-70